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lightbulbs.jpg
This image depicts how many fluorescent light bulbs are bought compared to "yellow" light bulbs. Notice how there are a lot more yellow light bulbs than fluorescent light bulbs.





Fluorescent Light Bulbs- The Big Picture


Do you ever get tired of that yellow light bulb always burning out on you, or in other words, the incandescent light bulb? Well, there is a solution, fluorescent light bulbs, also known as CFLs. Not only do they cost less, but they last longer too. There are some negative aspects but overall, the fluorescent light bulb would definitely help the environment.


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Positive Aspects


Cost


The cost of buying a fluorescent light bulb may be more expensive than that of a yellow light bulb, but in the long run, they actually cost less. Since its life span is longer than that of an yellow light bulb, you don't have to keep on replacing it, which means less money. So, for all you money savers out there, the fluorescent light bulb is the perfect bulb for you.

Life Span


The life span of a fluorescent light bulb is a lot longer than a yellow light bulb. It can last between 6,000 and 15,000 hours, while a yellow light bulb will only last about 750 to 1,000 hours. One very interesting fact about a fluorescent light bulb is that it will actually have a shorter life span if it is only turned on for a few minutes at a time. You have to leave them for at least 15 minutes at a time to keep it up to its normal life span.

Energy Savings


One fluorescent light bulb takes up at least a third less energy during their life span compared to a yellow light bulb. It also takes up less electricity which is very good. Fluorescent light bulbs can be used to decrease energy usage at the place in which they are used. There are some countries where electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Fluorescent light bulbs will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases if they are used in such places. Reduction of greenhouse gases will help the long battle to end global warming.

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Negative Aspects


Noise Level


One negative aspect of the fluorescent light bulb is its noise level. When turned on, fluorescent light bulbs emit a high pitched, buzzing sound. It will really annoy you if you are in a quiet room. Sometimes, newly purchased light bulbs (fluorescent) will not make a single noise and will work very quietly.


Disposal and Hazardous Issues


Another negative thing would be the ways you must dispose of fluorescent light bulbs. When they are broken, they release mercury vapors which can harm people and environmental health. The EPA has a page that shows how to properly clean up broken fluorescent light bulbs, but it is not printed on packages with fluorescent light bulbs.



Other Facts


Global Usage


Many countries are encouraging usage of CFLs (fluorescent light bulbs). Those countries include Australia, Belgium,Canada, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Script Key-
Initial
Name
Wikispaces Username
C
Chaitanya
Vcman7
R
Robert
evilphsyco2
K
Kiana
kandycubes
T
Tiffany
strawberryqu

Script


*scroll up for the script key*
*the script may differ from the actual audio*

R Hey, ugh, I need to get another light bulb ‘cause this yellow light bulb, or in other words, the incandescent light bulb keeps on dying!!!

C Oh!!! Did you know that fluorescent light bulbs are way better than yellow light bulbs?!?!? They last longer and they take 75% less energy to make!!!

R Really??? I never knew that!

K Oh, cool, are you talking about fluorescent light bulbs? One fluorescent light bulb might cost more than a yellow light bulb, but overall, you save money since fluorescent light bulbs use 1/3 the electricity and last up to 10 times longer!

T Hey, what are you guys talking about?

R Well, about fluorescent light bulbs.

T Wait a sec, are you talking about the positive sides? If you are, are there any negative sides to the fluorescent light bulb?

R Yeah, are there?

C Actually, there are.

K Something to consider would be their noise level. Fluorescent light bulbs emit a high-pitched buzzing sound that might annoy you, especially if you are in a quiet room.

T Oh, really?

C But they are worth it right?

T Yeah, for example, lifespan

K Oh right I read about that, it said that a fluorescent light bulbs have a lifespan of 6,000 to 15,000

R My incandescent light bulb didn't even make it to 1,000 hours!!!

C That's at least 5,000 more hours per light bulb!

R ......The next day…….

K Hey, did you read the newspaper? Well, all these countries like Australia, Belgium, Canada, New Zealand, Finland, India, Pakistan, Ireland, Germany, and UK, and the US are proposing to use CFLs, also know as fluorescent light bulbs.

C I didn’t read the newspaper, but I read that CFLs are very cost-effective in commercial buildings.

R What does that mean?

T Well, basically it means that office buildings, libraries, schools, etc. will use fluorescent light bulbs because they are cheaper in bulk.

R Well, I on the other hand was searching the negative aspects of fluorescent light bulbs, and this is what I learned

R If the fluorescent light bulbs are broken, they release mercury vapor, which are harmful to humans and ecological health

K But I, read that for years, compact fluorescent light bulbs have promised dramatic energy and money savings

C Yeah, but people still don’t depend on them as much as they should

T These are just laying in stores not being bought while their less efficient counterparts are being purchased by the thousands!

R Don't people know that this goes on to global warming and other problems?

K Probably, but why don’t they change?

R Besides its not like we can do anything….

T Maybe we can, on the website that I also visited, it said that bulb by bulb we can make a difference.

R Even 1 teeny tiny bulb?

C Yes, because if one person switches he or she can tell others, right?

K Of course….

C Come on guys lets spread the word

R But how?

T Make a website

K Or posters,

R And I'll tell people….

All Use compact fluorescent light bulbs and save the environment!

All to learn more, visit our site at www.teamforce.wikispaces.com/CRKT+homepage

Fun Stuff



*this will be updated with light bulb widgets asap (IF possible only)

Sources-

*the sources will be added or updated to proper bibliography form on this page as soon as possible*
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp
-Image: 'Bulbs'
www.flickr.com/photos/43433653@N00/25233948
- this is the site where we got out widgets- http://www.fancygens.com/


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